The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has just released its guide to safer shopping. They looked at pesticide residue on fruit and vegetables and have come up with the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15. A little statistic from them makes one realise how big an impact choosing “cleaner” food can make. From EWG: Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day from the Clean 15 list rather than from the Dirty Dozen can lower your pesticide intake by up to 92 percent! What a huge impact.

This link outlines the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

There are other ways to reduce your pesticide intake (please comment and add any ideas you have as well):

  • Going organic where you can. While this can seem like a stretch on the budget, if you at least choose some organic produce you will be making a difference.
  • Washing your fruit & vegetables with a mild unscented Castile soap. Pesticides are fat soluble and so more residue will be washed away if you use soap and water rather than just water.
  • Grow your own – even if it is just some herbs, rocket and cherry tomatoes – this is the start of a lovely summer salad

Please comment if you have any other ideas for reducing pesticide intake from foods.

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